How to become an Emergency Services Officer

Also called: Emergency Response Officer, Emergency Service Worker

Attends the scene of emergencies to minimise risk to community safety and security.

Main tasks

• Responds in a timely and effective manner to emergency calls, and assesses the situation to ensure the safety of the community
• Evacuates individuals from dangerous situations and provides support
• Provides information and updates during emergencies to the community and stakeholders
• Contributes to the development and implementation of emergency response plans
• Inspects and maintains on-site emergency response equipment
• May provide first aid to injured individuals

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management) (PUA60120); Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management) (PUA60519); Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Search and Rescue Management) (PUA60219); Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue) (PUA30322); Certificate III in Public Safety (Biosecurity Emergency Response Operations) (PUA30922); Certificate III in Public Safety (Community Safety) (PUA31422); Certificate III in Public Safety (Emergency Communications Centre Operations) (PUA30822); Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) (PUA20119)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $128,596 a year
• About 17,100 people work in this job group now, and about 19,100 are projected by 2035. (+11.4%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Firefighter
• Defence Force Member - Other Ranks
• General Duties Police Officer
• Border Enforcement Operations Officer

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Emergency Services Officer?

Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management); Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management).

How much does an Emergency Services Officer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $128,596 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Emergency Services Officer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 17,100 to about 19,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Emergency Services Officer?

Usually not. Only 21% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management); Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management).

Will AI change the work of an Emergency Services Officer?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04